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Contribution to Book
Seeking New Metaphors: Gender Identities in Tunisia and Lebanon
Arab Spring: Modernity, Identity and Change (2019)
  • Arnaud Kurze, Montclair State University
Abstract
This chapter explores the creation of alternative spaces of deliberation for sexual minorities during political transitions, focusing on the role of social media and collective action of lesbian gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activists. Given the unyielding, repressive politics in Tunisia and Lebanon, the author explores the question of why and how respective LGBT communities were able to consolidate their human rights advances despite the sociopolitical challenges. This study is based on Foucauldian concepts of spaces, notably the paradigm of heterotopia, so-called spaces of otherness. Drawing on heterotopias that are simultaneously physical and mental spaces, the author presents new findings on the difficulties connected with generating spaces of collective identities and advocating for minority rights. The research draws from social media content analysis and in-depth interviews with activists and other stakeholders to map the creation of new spaces for these minorities. It maps different types of activities to illustrate how during this process, art served as a medium to create innovative spaces of deliberation. The author argues that the creation of this new fragile spatiality is challenged by several factors, including narratives and memories of secularist and Islamist traditions.
Keywords
  • queer studies,
  • Lebanon,
  • Tunisia,
  • human rights,
  • MENA
Publication Date
2019
Editor
Mohamed, Eid; Fahmy, Dalia
Publisher
Palgrave Macmillan
ISBN
978-3-030-24758-4
Citation Information
Arnaud Kurze. "Seeking New Metaphors: Gender Identities in Tunisia and Lebanon" New YorkArab Spring: Modernity, Identity and Change (2019) p. 207 - 233
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/arnaud-kurze/28/